his comrade, lieutenant mike chipirini, was laid to rest sunday. the family says they're asking people to do acts of service in his honor. the two unsuspecting firefighters were shot and killed while battling a house fire set by the gunman. >>> that will do it for this hour of "newsroom." we wish you a very happy new year and a great 2013. my colleague wolf blitzer and "the situation room" up now. >> deb, thanks very much. >>> happening now -- >> -- how we solve this thing, then they've got another thing coming. >> that's not the way a president should lead. this is, these are draconian effects. >> a fever pitch here in washington with only eight hours left before the country tumbles over that so-called fiscal cliff. we're live with the very latest. also, cries of outrage from americans across the country. what the impasse means for small business owners, and who's to blame. and a blood clot lands hillary clinton in the hospital this new year's eve. our dr. gupta tells us just how serious this condition could be. we want to welcome viewers from the